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PI synod to work on strategic plan

Presbyterians with Pacific heritage gathered in Avondale for the annual Pacific Islanders’ Synod conference in September.

“Thinking ahead” was the theme of the gathering, where issues and opportunities facing the synod, its congregations, and New Zealand’s Pacific Island communities were discussed. Time was also spent looking at what the future focus of the synod should be.

One of the main talking points was the call to develop a strategic plan to guide the synod’s work in coming years. Synod clerk the Rev Tafatolu Filemoni says each of the synod’s ethnic groupings will contribute to the plan.

He says the mechanics of how the plan will be developed is still being worked through.

Giving the synod presbytery-like status so that it could make decisions in some areas, such as sustaining calls to Pacific Island parishes, was also a priority, says Mr Filemoni. This will be the subject of a paper to the 2006 General Assembly.

Those at the gathering also talked about how the synod can develop and strengthen itself to better support the mission and ministry of Pacific congregations, says conference organiser Hamish Crooks.

Overall, Mr Crooks felt the gathering was positive. He says the synod is still on a journey and is struggling with some of the same issues as the rest of the Church, such as “how to be more responsive to youth and how to make the best of the resources we have”.